Detachable tool and paint can platform for ladder

Abstract

A platform for supporting paint, tools, and other articles is formed of first and second platform members which communicate with a side rail of a ladder tensively and compressively, respectively. Each of the platform members is provided with apertures therethrough, at least one of the members having slot-shaped apertures, for adjustably securing the platform members to one another. In a preferred embodiment, the platform members are provided with respective serrated plate members which communicate grippingly with the side rail of the ladder. The platform may be provided with a paint tray for accommodating a paint can, and a tool or article holder. The present platform can be located anywhere along the side rail of the ladder and does not rely upon the rungs. A safety arrangement includes a spring for applying a biasing downward force which reduces the possibility of accidental disengagement of the platform from the side rail of the ladder.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A detachable platform of the type which is detachably engagable with a side rail of a ladder having inward and outward sides, to provide a substantially horizontal support surface, the detachable platform comprising: a platform member having a first surface for forming the substantially horizontal support surface and a second surface arranged substantially parallel to said first surface;   a tensile coupling member coupled to said platform member and arranged to communicate with the inward side of the side rail of the ladder;   a compression coupling member having a slide surface for communicating slidably with said second surface of said platform member, said compression coupling member being arranged to cooperate with said tensile coupling member and communicate with the outward side of the side rail of the ladder; and   locking means communicating with said platform member and said compression coupling member for locking said platform member and said compression coupling member to one another at positions relative to one another corresponding to a distance between the inward and outward sides of the side rail of the ladder.   
     
     
       2. The detachable platform of claim 1 wherein said tensile coupling member is provided with serrated tension means for engaging with the inward side of the side rail of the ladder. 
     
     
       3. The detachable platform of claim 2 wherein said serrated means comprises a serrated tension plate arranged to overlie said platform member and having a tension support platform for reinforcing said platform member. 
     
     
       4. The detachable platform of claim 3 wherein said serrated tension plate is affixed to said platform member. 
     
     
       5. The detachable platform of claim 1 wherein said compression coupling member is provided with a serrated compression means for engaging the outward side of the side rail of the ladder. 
     
     
       6. The detachable platform of claim 5 wherein said serrated compression means comprises a serrated compression plate fixed to said compression coupling member. 
     
     
       7. The detachable platform of claim 1 wherein said platform member is provided with an aperture therethrough and said compression coupling member is provided with a slot-shaped aperture therethrough, said aperture and said slot-shaped aperture being arranged in registration with one another. 
     
     
       8. The detachable platform of claim 7 wherein said locking means comprises a threaded bolt member and a nut threadedly engaged therewith, said threaded bolt member being arranged within said aperture and said slot-shaped aperture. 
     
     
       9. The detachable platform of claim 1 wherein there is further provided paint tray means having a circular configuration with an upturned perimeter for securing a paint can, said paint tray means being fixed to said platform member. 
     
     
       10. The detachable platform of claim 1 wherein there is further provided container means fixed to said platform means for containing at least one article. 
     
     
       11. The detachable platform of claim 1 wherein there is further provided safety means for securing the detachable platform to the ladder to reduce the possibility of accidental disengagement from the side rail of the ladder. 
     
     
       12. The detachable platform of claim 11 wherein said safety means comprises: hook means for coupling with the side rail of the ladder; and   flexible coupling means for coupling between said hook means and a coupling point on said platform member.   
     
     
       13. The detachable platform of claim 12 wherein said flexible coupling member comprises a tension spring having a rest-position length which is shorter than a distance between said hook means and said coupling point on said platform member, whereby said tension spring exerts a force in the vicinity of a distal portion of said platform member with respect to said tensile coupling member and said compression coupling member tending to enforce said communications between said tensile and compression coupling members, and the side rail of the ladder. 
     
     
       14. A platform for a ladder, the platform comprising: first and second platform members, said first platform member being in tensile communication with the ladder, and said second platform member being in compressive communication with the ladder, said first and second platform members being in surface-to-surface communication with each other; and   locking means communicating with said first and second platform members for locking said first and second platform members to one another at a surface-to-surface position selected in response to a dimension of the ladder.   
     
     
       15. The platform of claim 14 wherein there is further provided first and second ladder engagement means arranged on said first and second platform members, respectively, for reinforcing said first and second platform members. 
     
     
       16. The platform of claim 15 wherein said first and second ladder engagement means are provided with serrated edges to insure a firm gripping communication with the ladder. 
     
     
       17. The platform of claim 14 wherein there is further provided paint can tray means for supporting a paint can. 
     
     
       18. The platform of claim 17 wherein said paint can tray means is secured to the platform via said locking means. 
     
     
       19. The platform of claim 14 wherein there is further provided safety means for biasing said first and second platform members into said communication with the ladder. 
     
     
       20. The platform of claim 19 wherein said safety means comprises resillient means for producing a biasing force.